# Cohabitation

> Cohabitation solicitors for unmarried couples advise on cohabitation agreements and property disputes, clarifying rights where no common-law marriage exists.

Last updated: 2026-11-12

Services

# Cohabitation solicitors for unmarried couples 

Rushton Family Law advises unmarried couples who live together, or have separated, for clients across England and Wales, in person or remotely.

Many people assume that living together for a long time gives them similar rights to a married couple. It doesn’t. There is no such thing as “common law marriage” in England and Wales, and unmarried partners have no general right to share in each other’s assets or income on separation, however long the relationship. What each of you is entitled to depends largely on whose name is on the deeds, what was agreed about the property, and what each of you contributed. That makes it worth getting the position right while you are together, and taking advice quickly if you separate.

#### Cohabitation agreements

A cohabitation agreement records how you will own and share property and finances while you live together, and what would happen if you separated. We advise on what it should cover, including the home, contributions to the mortgage and bills, and assets held separately, and prepare the agreement for you. 

[Read more about cohabitation agreements](https://cms.rushtonfamilylaw.com/services/cohabitation-agreements/)![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2707/22-12-def/arrow-gold.png)

#### Cohabitation disputes

When unmarried couples separate, disputes usually centre on the home. We advise on claims over property held in one or both names, including where one partner has contributed to a property owned by the other, and act in negotiations and court proceedings where agreement can’t be reached. 

[Read more about cohabitation disputes](https://cms.rushtonfamilylaw.com/services/cohabitation-disputes/)![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2707/22-12-def/arrow-gold.png)

### How we work

An experienced family solicitor will run your matter from the first meeting onwards, and you will deal with them directly rather than being passed between members of a team.

Part of their job is to help you decide where your time and money are best spent. In most divorces there are points worth pressing and points that make little difference to the end result, and we will be straightforward with you about which is which.

A lot of matters are resolved through negotiation or mediation, and where that is realistic we will recommend it. Where it is not, because the other side will not engage, or disclosure is incomplete, or the issues are genuinely contested, we will advise you on taking the matter to court and act for you there.

**Rushton Family Law is the sister brand of Vardags. If your case involves complex finances or international issues, we will introduce you to the Vardags team.**

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